Friday, March 16, 2018

Spanish "Reding" Line Infantry regiment (Swiss)


By the time of the Peninsular War, there were six "Swiss" regiments in Spanish service. The oldest of these traced its history back to 1734. All of the Swiss units in Spanish service traditionally worse dark blue coats, hence their nickname "Suizas Azules".


These regiments were raised by contract with the Colonel, and their names changed with the changes in commanding officer. 


From 1767 on, the Swiss regiments were given royal permission to add a white edging to their red Spanish cockades. These figures are  28mm Three Armies Spanish Line infantry, painted as Swiss. 


The Swiss regiments all wore the virtually same uniform in 1808, scarlet collar, cuffs, lapels, shoulder straps and turnbacks, which most but not all sources indicate were piped in white, as I have shown here.


 One regiment had dark blue collars piped white, and sat least one had blue instead of red cuff flaps, again piped white. All units had white metal buttons.


The flags carried by the Swiss regiments were reminiscent of those carried by the Swiss units in the service of the Bourbon kings of France, but with the red cross raguly superimposed upon the wavy designs, as opposed to the white cross borne on the flags of the Swiss serving the French king.


From what I have been able to find, the drummers in the Swiss regiments wore essentially the same uniform as the rest of the regiment. The epaulets and buttons, etc of the officers were silver in Swiss units. Flag is by Adolfo Ramos. 


Swiss Regiments, 1805

Regiment
Cuffs/Turnbacks
Lapels
Collar
Buttons
Wimpfen
Scarlet
Scarlet
Scarlet
Pewter
Reding Senior
Scarlet
Scarlet
Scarlet
Pewter
Reding Junior
Scarlet
Scarlet
Scarlet
Pewter
Betschart
Scarlet
Scarlet
Scarlet
Pewter
Traxler
Scarlet
Scarlet
Scarlet
Pewter
Preux
Scarlet
Scarlet
Dark Blue
Pewter


Add: For more information on the flags of the Swiss regiments in Spanish service during the Napoleonic was:  Banderas Militares - Regimientos Suizos

15 comments:

  1. Sharp looking regiment! What are you impressions of Three Armies' Spanish?

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    1. I am close to finishing my fourth and last Three Armies Spanish units, each in a different uniform! They are very nice figures and an excellent value. I have some of their Grenadier figures as well which should appear on the blog soon as well. I hope he continues to expand his lines!

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  2. Nice looking unit and the flag too! :)

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    1. Thanks, Mark. I must admit that I especially like the flag as well!

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  3. A beautiful unit, lovely colors!

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  4. Lovely looking regiment and a splendid flag!
    Best Iain

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  5. Fine unit rather French look but the flag gives them away as La Suisse

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    1. I agree,the white border to the cockade makes them look even more like they could be French, but the flag is a dead give away!

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  6. Beautiful unit, and stunning flag. Looks the business!

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    1. Thanks for dropping by, Robert! Obviousl;y, I agree with you on somewhat smaller unit sizes.

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  7. Wonderful looking battalion Peter and a very interesting read on the history of the Swiss units in Spanish service. These have come up a treat and will quite distinguished on the table that’s most certain.

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    1. Thanks, Carlo. The many variations on the Spanish uniform are fun! Maybe they WILL be mistaken for French. That could easily happen in our Campaign in a Day event!

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